Lions of PA Fellow Award Recipients

At our District Rally, I was honored to provide several awards and honors to deserving Lions, Lioness, and Leos in our District. Two Lions were unable to attend because of prior commitments. I finally caught up with them this week. I attended East Hanover Lions Club Meeting Tuesday evening where I presented Lion Eileen Longreen with a Lions of PA Fellow Award. Thursday evening, I attended Shermans Dale Lions Club 35th Anniversary amongst the tornado happenings. I was honored to present Lion Sherry Clouser with a Lions of PA Fellow Award. Both Lions are deserving of this recognition for their commitment to their Club, District, and most importantly, the community they serve.

PA State Convention

District 14-N hosted our 88th State Convention in Cranberry Twp, just outside of Pittsburgh. The Marriott Hotel was a great venue for the event and staff were accomodating to our needs, well except the Security Guard who asked us to take our party somewhere else, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Lion James and I arrived Wednesday afternoon with the State Merchanchise. Luckily, the rain was only drizzling as we unloaded the many carts of boxes. On Thursday was our preliminary State Council Session, followed by the General State Council Session. This is where the business of PA Lions occurs. It was, as sitting District Governors, our last actions, for the year. Thursday evening, our Council went to Smokey Bones, a BBQ place for dinner. This is one of the great reasons to attend Conventions, an opportunity to try new restaurants. The Governors were all placed on the seventh floor. This was a plus, since we had to use our room key to get there (no riffraff wandering around on the floor without invitation) and we had access to the Concierge Room, which meant free breakfast, appetizers in the afternoon, and desserts in the evening. So after returning to the hotel, we sat out on our front porch, which was the hallway. (think your home, go out door and sit on the porch) We pulled desk chairs and small tables out and spent the rest of the evening catching up. Friday was filled with informative sessions for Club Officers, Leadership, Retention, Membership. It began with the Lioness/Ladies breakfast. Congrats again to Lioness Frannie Mummert, Lower Paxton Lioness Club, who received Lioness of the Year for our District. Friday's Lunch was a model Luncheon. This means that the lunch was set up like a Club Meeting to show how they can be organized and how to prepare an agenda. Susan Graham Gray, from Greencastle, was the keynote speaker. She received a Leader Dog, Rascal, two years ago. Susan shared with us how Rascal has changed her and her family's lives. In the afternoon, Dr Amy Nau, from UPMC Eye and Ear Institute, provided us with a powerpoint on the Brainport Research and the progress made in helping sightless individuals see. Friday evening was the PA Counsellors Banquet. I was officially sworn in as a new member. The Necrology followed. It was a moving and uplifting service, remembering Lions and Lionesses who died last year. We returned to the hotel, changed clothes and enjoyed Hospitality Night with Johnny and the Halo Angels Band, wonderful oldies music. I then went to bed, while others sat out on their front porch. I was very tired and would need to get up at 6:00AM for the Key Member Breakfast. I was privileged to stand in for PDG Sarah Clark, Penbrook Lions Club, who won the PDG Category of the State Membership Contest. She brought in 3 new members this year. A new contest will begin July 1. Stay tuned for details. Then off to the general business session, to hear reports. I stopped afterwards to be certified and to purchase tickets for the basket raffle. Unfortunately, my luck stayed true and I did not win any. Saturday lunch, we tried a new place to eat. It's called Quaker Steak and Lube. It's a restaurant fashioned like a garage, complete with block building, garage doors. cars on lifts with tables below. There was a corvette attached to one of the walls. Pretty amazing and the food was good too. Back to the room for a nap. Saturday evening was the International Banquet. Prior to that, we were invited to a private social with IP Sid and Lion Judy Scruggs. Photos were taken and he shared words of inspiration with us. The Banquet was a dressy affair, but yet fun with clowns everywhere in the decorations. The defining moment was PID Dr Harold Ott walking into the room with Lion Barbara. He had made himself a goal to be at the Convention and to be able to walk in on his own two feet to the banquet. He did just that and received a standing ovation. PID DR Harold still has many months of rehabilitation and still has some memory problems. Keep him and Lion Barb in your prayers. IP Sid gave out many awards that evening. Congrats to IPDG PDG Dalton Paul for receiving the Presidential Award. IP Sid and Lion Judy both thanked us for our service and dedication to others. They have been able to travel around the world and see for themselves the countless individuals helped by our efforts. A special gift was given to IP Sid from the State Council. We did Council pins this year with lighthouses as the theme. Lion James designed and built a shadowbox with a lighthouse shape for the pins. After the banquet, off to the front porch. this is where the security guard comes in. We were sitting in the foyer by the elevators, tons of food on tables, many adult beverages and lots of people. We had invited others to join us for the evening. A guest, who wasn't a Lion and wanted to get some sleep called the front desk. So security arrived, asking us to take the party down to the front lobby atrium. That seemed like too much work. So several of our guests left and we moved the party to the end of the hall where only Lions were staying. Sunday morning was voting, final business session and the convention was over with one more event in the evening: District Governors Honors dinner. This is where the current Governors are recognized and the incoming Governors are pinned, unofficially signalling the beginning of their year. Congrats to DGE Dave and his partner in service Kitty. I know you will have a great year and will have many adventures as well. The theme for the Convention was Bringing Back The Fun. Fun it was, lots to learn, catch up with old friends, make new ones, all great reasons to attend the State Convention. Next year it will be held May 17-20 in Gettysburg. I would like to see many 14-T Lions, Lionesses, and Leos there.

DISTRICT CONVENTION WEEKEND

Where do I begin? April 8-10 was our Annual District Convention. Friday morning, Lion James, PCC Dr Terry Musselman, 1stVDG Dave McCluskey and myself trekked to the Harrisburg Airport to pick up International Director Bob and Lion Vickie Smith. Thanks to Lion John Petrina, we had a beautiful banner to welcome them. Even the Security Guards agreed as they clapped for the couple. We stopped for breakfast at the Silver Springs Diner in Mechanicsburg. ID Bob and Lion Vickie shared with us some of their experiences traveling around the countryside. Since they left Sacramento Thursday evening to get here, we went back to the hotel so they could get some well deserved rest before the evening's festivities. I took the opportunity to sort out all the stuff I brought along...this for the Rally...that for the Cabinet Meeting...this for the Lioness Seminar...that for emergencies. We regrouped at 5:30PM to attend the PDGS Dinner at Sunnyside Restaurant. IPDG Dalton Paul welcome everyone. A great meal, wonderful conversation, and laughter was enjoyed by all. Last stop for the evening was the Leo Appreciation Event. ID Bob joined the Leos in the electric slide. Each Leo Club was presented a Certificate of Appreciation for the service they provide their community. Music, pizza, cookies, photo slide show, recommittment to service was organized by Lions Kathy Fouse and Carolyn Cassell. Off to bed. Saturday morning, after breakfast, I escorted Lion Vickie to the Lioness Seminar. She shared with us her year thus far and the many places and people she has met. PDG Jan Adams gave pointers on Meeting Management. Lioness Margie Stouffer shared info on Lionesses at the state level. ID Bob, escorted by 1stVDG Dave stopped by the various other Sessions going on. Thanks to our guest presenters PCC Dan Swinsinski, PDG George Reisinger, and Lion Mark Kusmo who gave of their time to share with us pointers and new ideas to consider. Lunch was hosted by 1stVDG Dave, his partner in service Kitty and 2ndVDG Krista Griffith. Thanks for the 2011-12 Calendar to get us started for the new year. After lunch, we learned how computers can be useful to Clubs via Club websites, Facebook, Twitter. We also had a brief look at the many, many pages of information on the Lions Clubs International website. Basket Raffle was held at 3:00PM. Thanks to all who donated a basket. Funds raised are used to offset costs for the convention. Sorry to say I did not win any of the great baskets supplied. We held a Meet and Greet Session for individual Lions and Lionesses to meet ID Bob and Lion Vickie and ask questions. Then time to regroup, change into our Club shirts and "Catch The Wave Of Lionism" at the Rally. Thanks to PDG Jim and Lioness Linda zEger and their Committee for providing a wonderful fun filled evening for all. If you were not there, you missed the best evening of Lionism. The food was great, ID Bob shared with us why he became a Lion and why he continues to serve as a Lion. He recognized several members for their leadership. I provided a Year in Review, sharing the highlights serving as your District Governor. I had the honor of presenting several awards to indivuals who exemplify our motto WE SERVE. We also started a new fundraiser, selling a calendar. You need to check out the photos on our website for further explanation. All I can say is THANK YOU LION JOHN FOR A GREAT LAUGH. Sunday morning, we held our elections for the coming year. We joined together to recognize those Lions and Lionesses who died last year year at the Necrology Service. PDG Joan Sleesman provided a moving and enlightening ceremony. Our fourth Cabinet meeting ended the weekend. Congratulations to our elected Officers for the coming year: DG Elect Dave McCluskey, New Bloomfield Lions Club; 1stVDG Krista Griffith, Hershey Lions Club; 2nd VDG Lee Eisenhard Waynesboro Lions Club; Region II Representative for District Convention Committee Lion Jim Neidigh, South Hanover Lions Club. The weekend was filled with sharing of new ideas, information, making new friends, catching up with old friends, laughter, and the continuation of service to our District by electing new officers. Thanks to all who had a part in making this District Convention an event I'll never forget. Thanks to all who attended, you added to the event as well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRISBURG NOON LIONS CLUB

Last night was the great 90th charter night celebration of the Harrisburg Noon Lions Club. What a wonderful evening of fun, fellowship, and service. King Lion Marion welcomed the 100+ individuals who came to celebrate and congratulate the members for their dedication to service. PDG Frank Wedig served as the Master of Ceremonies and chaired the committee who organized the event. He pulled out all the stops and remember his saying "If it's not fun, I'm not there". PID Ted and Lion/Lioness Rita Fusco were special guests. PID Ted shared a few stories and words of wisdom with the audience. He also inducted a new member into the Club. Donna Wedig is now LION DONNA WEDIG. The Club honored their 6th Annual Volunteer of the Year. She is a woman who opens her home in Harrisburg to anyone who needs a place to stay. I had the opportunity to present a Melvin Jones Fellow to Lion George Mullen, Ickesburg Lions Club. He is not able to attend the District Rally, due to another committment with his church. Thanlks to the Harrisburg Noon Lions Club members for your continued service and thanks for sharing this special evening with us.

DISTRICT 14-T LIONESS SEMINAR

Today was our District's Lioness Seminar. I had the opportunity to attend and catch up with my Lioness Club Members and friends. We were honored to have DG Nancy from 14-P and two Lions with her attend the session. It was held at the Mercersburg Moose. Lioness Loni Bard, Queen Lioness Brenda Cunningham, Queen Lioness Pam Wagner, and Lioness Shirley Keyser coordinated the event. All five Clubs were represented. The Coordinators chose Reycling as the theme for the day. Attendees were encouraged to bring a recycled item for a contest. Items included a wind chime made from old pots and pans, a marionette monkey made from various items, jewelry made from dominoes, containers for items made from other items, flowers made from coffee filters. Dan Wolf, from the Franklin Co Planning Commission was our speaker. He gave a lively discussion on the importance of recycling for ourselves as well as the next generation. The hands on session was making favors for our District Rally. That's all I'm going to say, you will need to attend the Rally to see the creativity of these ladies. We enjoyed a delicious lunch with lively conversation and laughter. Lots of door prizes, basket raffle, and 50/50 prizes were given out. It was a great event that shows Recycling can be fun.

Egg Making with the Lionesses

I finally had an opportunity to help the Lower Paxton Twp Lionesses with their candy egg making. This is something I've been wanting to do for a couple of years, but I couldn't get the right days off from work. Finally, March 10, I had off and the ladies were making eggs. I arrived at the candy egg home. (this house is owned by PDG Pete and Lioness Joan Miller). The candy egg production has taken over the place. You walk in and the bookcase shelves are filled with all colors of shiny foil, cut and ready to be wrapped around that special flavor egg. There's a room filled with large plastic containers, each with a different flavor, milk chocolate or dark chocolate coated. There's a room where the cutting board is set up to cut the foil and the ingredient cards. The kitchen has three mixers, the stove has two pots filled with melted chocolate, everywhere there are ingredients ready to be used. The enclosed back porch is the main production area. A large rack has trays of eggs ready to be wrapped and bagged, and eggs ready to be dipped. Each tray has that colored foil to know what the flavor is. A Lioness sits on one side of the table and trims the dipped egg. A Lioness on the other side takes the egg and wraps it in foil. Another Lioness takes the folied egg and places it in a bag, with the ingredients card. Lion Jim Neidigh is at the sealer to seal the bags shut. Halfway down the table, a Lioness is at the scales, measuring out the filling and placing it on a tray. Another Lioness (or Disrict Governor, in this case) takes the blob and fills the mold with it, creating an egg shape. On another table, a Lioness is dipping th eggs in milk chocolate. Hairnets, gloves, layered clothes are the attire. What a fun morning it was with the Lionesses and Lion husbands who help with various tasks. I hope to get back again to try a new station.

District Diabetes Bowlathon

Basketball may have March Madness, but District 14-T has our Diabetes Bowlathon going on. Thanks to Lion/Lioness Pat Strobel, who agreed to wear a new hat this year as the Diabetes Bowlathon Chair. Her Region Coordinators: King Lion Marion Shepherd, King Lion Salli Miller, King Lion Matt Glaspey, Lion George Mullen, and Lion/Lioness Kathy Kreps have done an outstanding job in scheduling and organizing bowling events throughout the district. I was able to stop in at Region I, II Bowling on Saturday, March 12. ABC East was packed with bowlers, cheerleaders, Lions, Lionesses, all there to raise dollars for diabetes. Door Prize tickets were announced throughout the afternoon. PDG Frank Wedig was easy to spot. Clubs were proudly wearing their club shirts. Cheers and laughs could be heard from one end of the alley to the other. Clubs that are not bowlers can be part of the solution by making a donation to this vital District Project. Donations must be sent to District Treasurer, Lion Larry Reisinger, by May 15 to be counted for this year. Send TShirt order forms to Lion/ Lioness Pat Strobel. Thanks to each and all who support this project.